Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-19
Latter From Mexico.

Correspondence OF the Ale1Aiuih uAEhA'N''
CITY OF MEXICO, March 9, lS67.-My
room is one OF about seventy in the same
building, all of which once formed one OF
the great converts Of the capital. 1t Is
venerable old building, around which many
pleasant traditions and tender recollections
are entwined. 1t has large court yard
and foundation, spacious halls with colon
nades of pure white columns and a fiat roof,
with high side walls, provided with port
holes. Since the days of eviction and con-
iiscation it has slowly been going into disuse
and decay. The paror walls are covered
with moss and mould, and the door hinges
are red with rust. The floors are covered
with the dust of mouderiug walls, and the
ceilings let 10 the sunshine and the rain.
Thus where peace and piety
Once uumolested lived Alone
Now, mice lizards, bats and
Night birds find there home.
The chapel has corn and hay in
Place of book of pray and psalter
And sheep and goats lived where mass
Was said and incense burned before the altar.
Though time has dealt very severely with
the old convent and court yard, yet the e4
ternal feudal form Is as perfect to day as 1t
was three hundred years ago. The ponder
Gus old door with its great bolta and bars
still swings to and fro under the wide arched
entrance, and now as of old is guarded
night and day. The door keeper meets and
questions every stranger at the entrance
and he may or may not permit him to enter,
this depending on his own whims, and the
a 6.ha
liege lord. Thus when we retire for the
night we rest secure under the protec-
ton of the court yard gate and
the guard with q stone wall two feet thick
and forty feet high and policemen on the
outside On the inside the hail door is
barred and my room door is securely locked,
besides the windows are inclosed with pris-
like bars and we have our side arms
the inside. The room fronts the court yard
and fountain and has an abundance of sun,
light and ventilation. The floor is made of
brick hsgs and the walls arc painted light
blue, while the ceiling is white and is adorn-
ed with red, white and blue stucco work.
1t has neat little old fashioned door with q
little black cross over the top. There is no
stove, as the climate never demands it, but
there is very large door window which re-
tains ts ancient form (which is yet the fash
ion), of being without sash or window glass.
Yet the fashion is o bad one, in as much so
that when it rains ell classes must shut the
shutters and light the lamp-more often
candle. Thus it is this style of
habitation when surrounded by feudal
customs is to the stranger almost
the embodiment of Loneliness but
he MIST learn to rest easy among all, for it's
the fashion, and few live here without equal
protection, and as it is deemed necessary,
in time we learn to like it and now, were
we to seek new quarters we should demand
it, Yet. with all, TO be a stranger in
strange land, and alone in your room night
after night is OF times lonely, lonely. But
the darkest clouds may have bright Dor
der, and. indeed, it seemed so with us to-
night when the light Of the full. round trop'
cal moon shone in through my open win
dow besides
Books, pen and solitude
Can supply many charms;
Though we be far from home,
And live in the midst Of alarms
"And my quiet little room, 'tis harbor
haven of rest unto me,
VIII Il tired of the rude, restless pillows
That toss ME about on life's sea.
" Tis here can sit in contentment,
And think my own thoughts for awhile.
And dare the rude world to modest me,
And face even fate with a smile.
A narrow white bed and table
chair with cant bottom seat,
With faith in possible future,
Makes life in my own room complete
RAMBLER.